James Maddison eyes Tottenham title tilt once 'non-negotiable' Champions League spot booked

James Maddison says it is “non-negotiable” for Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League and has targeted a title push next season.

Spurs leapfrogged Aston Villa into fourth with last night’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, which was illuminated by brilliant goals from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, and have a game in hand on them.

Ange Postecoglou began his post-match press conference by insisting he “couldn’t care less about the race for fourth”, but, while Maddison understands his manager’s position, the midfielder says Spurs “need” to return to Europe’s top competition.

“I get the manager not wanting to talk about [finishing in the top four], but I am not going to lie to your face and say you don’t think about that, because we want to be in the Champions League,” Maddison said.

“This club needs to be in the Champions League, [it’s] non-negotiable really, and that’s the aim. That’s why we’ll try to finish strong and get that.”

Postecoglou, by contrast, has said he will never target fourth and expects the club to be in the title race next season. “That’s definitely the feeling,” said Maddison, when asked if a title challenge is the aim.

“It’s annoying listening to three teams go at it for the title and we’re not in it.

“How exciting is the title race this season? It’s amazing, it’s brilliant for a neutral. Everyone is locked into the Premier League every week, because it’s such a good title race. Frustrating not to be a part of that, but we are where we are and we have our own job to do.”

Maddison missed two-and-a-half months with ankle ligament damage sustained in November, but believes he is close to getting back to his sparkling early-season form.

“I am very critical of myself,” he said. “Maybe I’m not at the heights that won me player of the month at the start of the season, but I am not too far away.”